MP urges action over child deaths in custody

Parliamentary candidates face being lobbied by youth justice
campaigners over the issue of child deaths in custody in the run-up
to the general election, writes Maria Ahmed from the
House of Commons.

Hilton Dawson MP told a meeting with youth justice campaigners
including Nacro and The Children’s Society in parliament
today that he would table an early day motion on the issue.

Twenty eight children have died in custody since 1990, with
three of these deaths occurring in the last 12 months. Adam
Rickwood became the youngest ever person to die in custody aged
14-years-old.

Speaking at a parliamentary debate last week, Dawson told home
officer minister Paul Goggins: “We know what happens to
social workers in cases in the community where children die at the
hands of parents or carers, but it seems there is little concern
about children who have committed offences who die in our
prisons.”

Rehabilitation agency Nacro also published a report this week
calling for a reduction of young people in custody which urges the
government to take action at looking at alternatives to prison.

Community Care campaigned during 2004 for a reduction
of the numbers of children being sent to prison. For more
information

click here

The Bigger Picture on Youth Justice